M f thompson



Aug. 26, 1930.

M.F.THOMPSON PARLIAMENTARY VOTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR FiledSept. 11, 1923 www Nnnlfm y@ 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 26, 1930. M. FTHoMPsoN 1,773,891

PARLIAMENTARY VOTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR mail Au'g. 26, 1930.y Y M F, THQMPSON 1,773,891

PARLIAMENTARY VOTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Sept. ll, 19235 Sheets-Sheet 5 J3 4 A 3 /d SZ a Z /3/ /28 95 34 53 /08 s Patented Aug.26, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE o MARSHALL F. THOMPSON, OFWASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR T lAMERICAN SIGNALCORPORATION, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA PARLIAMENTARY VOTINGSYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Application filed September 11, 1923.Serial No. 662,115.

This invention relates to electrical voting systems, and moreparticularly to improvements in the mechanism comprising the individualvoting stations, through which each member of the legislative bodypasses his vote.

Actual practice has demonstrated that a practicalvoting mechanism forthe individual member of a legislative body, must provide for,

1st The selective casting of any one of a plurality of dii'erent votes',

2nd- The casting of only one vote at a time,

3rd Changing of the vote,

4th Resetting of the mechanism by a remote control,

5th and lastly, locking the mechanism against operation either at theindividual station or by a remote control.

Numerous attempts have been made to accomplish the foregoing, but thesehave resulted in complicated mechanisms, requiring a great multiplicityof electro-magnets, re-

sulting in bulky and costly structures, costly to maintain andconstantly out of order.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to providean individual voting unit, wherein simple mechanical means is combinedwith a novel arrangement of electro-magnets, the latter being common toboth individual and remote control, thus reducing the number of magnetsrequired, cost of manufacture and maintenance, and the possibility ofthe apparatus getting out of order.

With the above and other objects in view,

which will, appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides inthe novel conv struction, combination and arrangement of partssubstantially. as hereinafter described and more particularly deiined bythe appended claims, it being understood that such changes in theprecise embodiment of herein disclosed invention may be vmade as comewithin the scope -of the claims.

In th'e accompanying drawing is illustrated one complete example of thephysical embodiment of the present invention constructed according tothe best mode so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples the present invention, the same being taken on the line 11'of Figure 5.

Figure 2 is a similar view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 5.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sec tion taken on the line 3 8 ofFigures 5, 6, and 7.

Figure 4. is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 4-4 ofFigure 5, the electrical circuits and other parts of the mechanism beingshown diagrammatically. Figure 5 is a top plan view.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Figures2 and 3.

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on i the lines 7 7 of Figures 2and 3.-

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on the lines 8 8 of Figures 1, 2and 3.

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a transverse detailed section taken on the line 4 4 ofFigure 5.

Figuresll, 12, 13, and 14 are similar views sluwing the parts in theirvarious positions, an

Figure 15 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of Figure10.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings, 052 (Fig. 1)designates a tubular standard having its end threaded into the bottom ofa cylindrical housing as and secured therein by means of a nut 71.V

The tubular standard AZ-serves to house the wires 80 which lead to thevarious switches contained withinthe housing, as will be hereinafterdescribed more in detail. A pluralityof spaced vertical posts 81 (Figs.1 and 9). carried by the bottom of the housing interiorily thereof,support upon their upper ends a circular plate 82 (Figs. 10, 11 and 14),which carries the mechanism contained within the voting station. Formeddiametrically of the plate 82, is a series of three openings in whichare supported for vertical movement the three voting switches, S1, S2,and S3'.

These voting switches S1, S2, and S3, have their upper ends providedwith buttons 83 (Figs. 4, 13 and 14) which project through registeringopenings formed in a face plate 84 secured on the upper side of thesupporting plate 82 by means of screws 84 (Fig. 5). Each of the switchesS1, S2, and SS, besides the cylindrical buttons 83, comprises a plunger85 having an enlarged cylindrical portion 86 disposed immediately belowthe buttons 83 and engaged in the opening of the supportingT plate 82 torender the same accurate and rigid in operation. The lower ends of theplungeis 85 are engaged in circular bores 85 formed in a supportingplate 88, which is spaced below the supporting plate 82 and carriedthereby. Mounted on each plunger 85 is a cylindrical block 89 of aninsulating material which carries a metal contact band 90 adapted toform a connection between the brushes or contact members 91 and 92,respectively, the upper pair of brushes 91 being normally contacted withthe band 90 when the plunger is disposed in normal and inoperativeposition. Surrounding the lower` end portions of the plungers 85 arecoiled springs 93 interposed between the lower supporting plate 82 andthe insulating block 89, which serve to normally force the plungersupwardly and into their normally inoperative positions, whereby acircuit is completed between the contact bands 90 and the brushes 91engaging the same, while the circuit is broken between the lower set ofbrushes. The cylindrical portion 86 serves to limit the upward movementof the plungers.

When one of the voting switches S1, S2,

I or S5 is depressed, the circuit is broken between the upper brushes 91and a circuit is closed through the lower set of brushes 92, whichdepression performs the voting operation, as will be later described.

Cooperating with the three voting switches, S1, S2, and S3, is amechanical locking device which comprises a lower member or plate 94having openings therein through which the plungers 85 are movable, theupper ends of these openings being countersunk to provide recesses 95for the reception of the conical enlargements 96.

Loosely mounted on the upper face of the plate 94 is the plate 97,provided with a serie's or" openings 98, which correspond to theopenings in the plate 94, but which are normally held out of alignmenttherewith by means of a spring 99 urging the locking plate 97 intoengagement withthe plunger 85. The openings 98, in the second or lockingplate 9 are of a size to admit the passage therethroughof the conicalenlargements 96 of the plungers 95, and when the latter are depressed,conical faces of the enlargements 96 engage the edges of the openings 98and move the locking plate 97 against the tension of the spring 99,bringing the openings into alignment with the conical portions to permitthe same to pass therethrough, after which the plate 97 snaps over thetop of the conical portion and retains the depressed button in itsoperative position. In its normal position, the movable plate 97 isurged against the plungers 85 under the conical enlargements 96 andprevents depression of the plungers until the plate is moved from underthe conical enlargements, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

Positioned upon the locking plate 97 intermediate the switches S1, S2,and S3, is a pair ot locking members 100 and 101, respectively, whichlocking members have their opposite ends bevelled, corresponding to theconical faces of the enlargements 96 of the plungers 85, so that uponthe depression of any one ot' the plungers the adjacent locking memberis forced laterally under the conical face of the adjacent button orbuttons, thus preventing depression of the same. Should either of theouter buttons be depressed the plates 100 and 101 are so arranged withthe adjacent ends abutting, as to cause lateral movement of both plates,thus locking the remaining switches against depression.

The plate 94 is provided, intermediate the openings for receiving theplungers 85, with an additional pair of openings for the reception ofpins 102 and 103, respectively, which pins are actuated by the solenoids104 and 105, respectively. These solenoids are carried by the lowerplate 88 and are secured in position between the same and anothersupporting plate 106, which is spaced below the plate 82 and carriedthereby by a plurality of spaced posts 107.

The operating pins 102 and 103 are mounted on the upper ends of theplungers of the solenoids 104 and 105, respectively. The upper ends ofthe operating pins are conically formed for engagement in theintermediate openings in the plate 97 for the purpose of camming thesame laterally against tension of the spring 99 to permit depression ofthe switches or release the same from their depressed position. Theloclring members 100 and 101 are provided with a conical opening intowhich the ends of the pins 102 and 103 project when the solenoids 104and 105 are energized, these openings beloll lllf

lll!

ing of a suilicient size to prevent disturbance KC i to effect releaseof the depressed buttons and permit their return to normal positionready for the next vote. l

The correction switch S4 is provided to permit a member to alter hisvote, when he has through error or otherwise mani ulated one of thevoting switches S1, S2, or S3, and this correction switch S4 is locatedat one side of the intermediate voting switch S2, as shown in Figure 5.rlhe correction switch S4 comprises a shaft 108 2. 3 and 6) journaledthrough the face plate 84 and has its lower end journaled in thesupporting block 88. Mounted at an intermediate point onl the shaft 108is a cylindrical block of insulation 109, (Figs. 3 and 4) havingdisposed diametrically therethrough a Contact member 110 which, in thenormal position of the shaft 108, completes a circuit between a pair ofcontact fingers 111 connected in the circuit with the solenoid 104 topermit energizing of said solenoid upon actuation of the reset switch Ssof the main station. Extending diametrically through the insulatingblock 109 at right angles to the Contact member` 110 is a second contactmember 112,

which when the spindle is given a quarter turn completes a circuitthrough a pair of contact fingers 113, which, as best shown in Figure 4,close the circuit energizing thc solenoid 104.

The exposed free end of the shaft 108 is provided with a finger piece114 imparting thereto the necessary rotary movement, which movement islimited to the desired quarter turn by means of a stop member 115 (Figs.4 and 6). which is secured on the spindle immediately above thecylindrical block of insulation 109. The stop member comprises a pair ofextensions 116 and 116 arranged ninety degrees apart. and whichcooperate `with a lug 117 for effecting the desired limitation ofmovement of the spindle.

Encircling-the spindle 108 and interposed below the lower end'of thecylindrical block 109 vand the opposedextension 82 of the plate 88, is acoil of spr-ing 108 arranged to be placed under tension by the turningmovement of the vspindle 108 to that position` side of the mechanicallocking device and,

has one end engaged in an eye 118 projecting from the adjacent side ofthe lower member or plate 94, while the other end of the .stationitself.

spring is fastened to the free end of a lever 119 having its oppositeend pivoted to the lower plate 94. As shown in Figures 10 to 14inclusive, the lever 119 engages one end of the plate 97 and normallyurges the same into engagement with the plungers 85Vfor the purposeheretofore described. Positioned adjacent the intermediate voting switchS2, is an individual lstation lock N. (Figs. 1 to 5) comprising atumbler lock of conventional type, and operable by means the brushes123. A second contact member 124, passing through the block 121 belowthe upper Contact member, is adapted to form a contact between a secondset of brushes 125. Below the block 121 the spindle is provided with asquare extension 126 which cooperates with a pair of opposed springmembers 127, to retain the spindle in either one of its positions.Projecting radially from the cylinder 118, is a pin 128, which engages apair of stop pins 131 spaced apart substantially ninety degrees, tolimit .the rotary movement of the cylinder 118.

As will be later pointed out, the switch N controls the solenoid 105 andcloses a circuit of the remaining switches when the key is inserted andthe spindle rotated to that position shown in Figure 4.

When the solenoid 105 is energized upon closing the circuit to theswitch N, .the pin 103 is projected upwardly as shown 1n Figure 10,which forces the plate 9'( laterally so that theopenings registeringwith the conical portions 96 of the switches S1, S2. and S3, arewithdrawn from under the shoulders of said projections 96,thus-permitting theselected depression of any one of the voting buttons.Thus, it will be seen that when a member leaves his desk andthe-solenoid 105 is deenergized by opening the switch N, the pin 103 iswithdrawn from the plate 97 permitting the same to'be forced under theprojections 95 and thus lock the station against operation.

vAs shown in Figures 4 and 5,. the face fplate 84, enclosing the upperend of the voting station casing A3, is preferably flanged at its upperside to provide a circular depression for the reception therein of atransparent disc 33 to expose through the same the data applied to theface of the plate for the proper identification of the various switchesand the Briefly describing the operation of the present invention, withparticular reference to Figure 4, wherein the voting mechanism is shownin its normal position, the locking switch N is first turned to thatposition shown, which closes a circuit from the battery B, the clerkhaving previously closed the double switch S5 in the circuit D. Thisenergizes the solenoid 105 which actuates the pin 108 to shift the plate97 and permit the selective depression of any one of the voting buttonsS1, S2, or S3. After the member has voted, by depressing any one of thebuttons as, for example, the button S1, a contact is made through thebrushes 92 which closes the circuit E from the battery and actuates avote recording or indicatinf mechanism, which for the purpose ofsimplicity will hereinafter be referred to as the vote indicating means,designated by the letter X.

Should the member then decide to change his vote the correction switchis rotated, which makes a contact between the brushes 118, thus closingthe circuit F from the battery and energizing the solenoid 104 whichprojects the pin 102 through the plate 97, :is shown in Figure 13, whichaction forces the plate 97 laterally, releasing the button. previouslydepressed. The member may then select any other button desired.

After the voting period has expired and it is desired to prevent furthermanipulation of the voting buttons in order that the vote may beproperly recorded, the clerk opens the double switch S5, whichdeenergizes the solenoid 105 and also breaks the circuit G passingthrough the lock N and to the brushes 118 of the correction switch S4,thus preventing the individual from releasing the vote previously cast.A record may then be taken after which the clerk at the main station mayreset the individual voting mechanism to the normal position by closingthe switch S in the circuit H, which through 4the brushes 111 willenergize the solenoid 104, thus actuating the plate 97 to release thedepressed button. rl`he voting-station is then clear and ready forjhenext vote.

As shown in Figure 4, depression of the button S2 will close the circuitl, actuating the vote indicating mechanism Y, and depression of thebutton S3 closes the circuit J, which actuates the vote indicating meansZ, it being understood that the means X, Y, and Z, provide for theindicating or f vidual voting station may be locked against operation,'or resetting, by remote controls provided at a main station.

l claim:

1. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of different voting circuits, a reset circuit, and a lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a plurality of manuallv operableswitches for controlling said voting circuits, means for locking saidswitches against operation and retaining said switches in operativeposition, means for preventing actuation of two or more switches at onetime, an electro-magnet for releasing said retaining means, a switch forcont-rolling said electro-magnet, a second electro-magnet for actuatingsaid locking means to permit actuation of said voting switches, and aswitch for controlling said second magnet.

2. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of diiferent voting circuits, a reset circuit, and a lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a pluralityv of manually operableswitches for controlling said voting circuits, means for locking saidswitches against operation and retaining said switches in operativeposition, means for preventing actuation of two or more switches at onetime, an electro-magnet for releasing said retaining means, a switch forcontrolling said electro-magnet, said magnet also being controlled bvsaid reset circuit, a second electromagnet for actuating said lockingmeans to permit actuation of said voting switches, and a switch forcontrolling said second magnet, said second magnet also being controlledby said locking circuit.

3. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of diife'rent voting circuits, said mechanism comprising aplurality of manually operable switches for controlling said votingcircuits, mechanical means for locking said switches Vagainst operationand retaining said switches in operative position, mechanical means forpreventing actuation of two vor more switches at one time, anelectro-magnet for releasing said retaining means, a switch forcontrolling said electro-magnet, a second electromagnet for actuatingsaid locking means to )INI permit actuation of said voting switches,

and a switch for controlling said second magnet.

4. An individuah voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of different voting circuits, said mechanism comprising aplurality of manually operable switches for controlling said votingcircuits, combined mechanical means for locking said switches againstoperationand for retaining said switches in operative position, anelectro-magnet for actuating said mechanical means to permit operationof said switches, and a second magnet for actuating said mechanicalmeans to release said switches from their operative position.

5. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of different voting circuits, said mechanism comprising aplurality of manually electrical voting systems having a pluralityoperable switches for controlling said voting circuits, combinedmechanical means for locking said switches against operation and forretaining said swictlies in operative position, an electro-magnet foractuating said mechanical means to permit operation of said switches, alsecond magnet for actuating said mechanical means to release saidswitches from their operative position, and means for preventingactuation of two or more switches at one time.

6. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of dilierent voting circuits, said mechanism comprising aplurality of manually operable switches for controlling the votingcircuits, combined mechanical means for locking said switches againstoperation and for retaining said switches in operative position, anelectro-magnet for actuating said mechanical means to permit operationof said switches, a switch for controlling said electro-magnet, a secondelectro-magnet for actuating said mechanical means to release saidswitches from their operative position, and a switch for controllingsaid second magnet. 'i

7. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of different voting circuits, alreset circuit and a lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a plurality of manually operativeswitches for controlling said voting circuits unitary mechanical meansfor locking said switches againstoperation and for retaining theswitches in their operative position, an electro-magnet for actuatingsaid mechanical means to permit operation of said switches, a switch forcontrolling said electro-magnet, said electro-magnet being alsocontrolled by said locking` circuit, a second elecro-magnet foractuating said mechanical means to release said switches from theiroperative position, a switch for controlling) said second magnet, saidsecond magnet eing also controllable by said reset circuit, and' meansfor preventing operation of more thanr one switch at a time. l

8. Anindividual voting mechanism lfor7 of different voting circuits, areset circuit and a locking circuit, said mechanism comprising aplurality of depressible switch buttons for controlling said votingcircuits, means for normally locking said buttons ainst depression,electro-m'agnetic means or actuating said locking means to pe/rmitdepression of said buttons, a switch for controlling saidelectro-magnetic means, said electro-magnetic means being alsocontrolled by said lockin circuit, a second electro-magnet for actuatingsaid mechanical means to release said buttons from their depressedposition, a switch for controlling said second electromagnet, saidsecond electro-magnet being controlled by said reset circuitindependently of said switch. v Y

9. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems having aplurality of different voting circuits, a reset circuit and a lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a plurality of depressible switchbuttons for controlling said voting circuits, means for normally lockingsaid buttons against depression, electrofmagnetic means for actuatingsaid locking means to permit depression of said buttons, a switch forcontrolling said electro-magnetic means, said electro-magnetic meansbeing also controlled by said locking circuit, a second electro-magnetfor actuating said mechanical means to release said buttons from theirdepressed position, a switch for controlling said second electromagnet,said second electro-magnet being controlled by said reset circuitindependently of said switch, and means for preventing the depression ofmore than one button at a time.

10. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems havinga plurality of different voting circuits, a reset circuit and a lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a plurality of depressible switchbuttons for controlling said voting circuits, combined mechanical meansfor locking said buttons against depression and for retaining saidbuttons in depressed position, an electromagnet for actuating saidmechanical means to permit depression of said buttons, a switch forcontrolling said electro-magnet, said electro-magnet being alsocontrolled by said locking circuit, a second magnet for actuating Saidmechanical means to release said buttons from their depressed position,a switch for controlling said second magnet, said second magnet beingalso controllable independently of said reset switch by said resetcircuit.

.11. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems havinga plurality of different voting circuits, a reset circuit and a. lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a plurality of depressible switchbuttons for controlling said voting c1rcu1ts, combined mechanical meansfor locking said buttons against depression and for retaining saidbuttons in depressed position, an electromagnet for actuating saidmechanical means to permit depression of said buttons, a switch forcontrolling said electro-magnet, said electro-magnet being alsocontrolled bysaid locking circuit, a second magnet forI actuating saidmechanical means to` release said buttons from their depressed position,a switch for controlling said second magnet,

said second magnet being also controllable independently of said resetswitch by said reset circuit, and means for preventing actuation of twoor more switches at one time.

12. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems havinga plurality of dierent voting circuits, said mechanism comprising aplurality of depressible switch buttons for controlling said votingcircuits, a movable plate for normally preventing depression ot' saidbuttons and for retaining said buttons in their depressed position, amember for actuating said plate to permit depression of said buttons, anelectro-magnet for actuating said member, a second member for actuatingsaid means to release said buttons from their depressed position, and anelectro-magnet for actuating said second member.

13. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems havinga plurality of dierent voting circuits, said mechanism I comprising aplurality of depressible switch buttons `for controlling said votingcircuits, a movable plate for normally preventing depression or" saidbuttons and for retaining said buttons in their depressed position, amember for actuating said plate to permit depression of said buttons, anelectro-magnet tor actuating said member, a second member tor actuatingsaid means to release said buttons from their depressed position, anelectro-magnet for actuating said second meinber, and a second plateengageable upon depression ot one button to prevent depression ot theother buttons.

14. An individual voting mechanism for electrical voting systems havinga plurality of different voting circuits, a reset circuit and a lockingcircuit, said mechanism comprising a plurality ot depressible switchbuttons controlling said voting circuits, a movable plate or normallylocking said buttons against depression and serving to retain saidbuttons in their depressed position, electromagnetically controlledmeans for actuating said plate to permit depression of said buttons, alocking switch for controlling said electroTmagnet, and a secondelectro-*nagnetically controlled means for actuating said movable plateto release said buttons from their depressed position, a switch Jforcontrolling said second electro-magnet, said second electro-magnet beingalso controllable by said reset circuit, and said first mentionedelectro-magnet being controlled by said locking circuit, and a plateengageablenn depression of any one of said buttons to prevent depressionor" any one of the remaining buttons.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MARSHALL F. THOMPSON.

